Rapper DMX arrested again; that makes the third time this year

Rapper DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, is arrested in Greer, S.C., on an outstanding warrant for driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana.

Rapper DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, is arrested in Greer, S.C., on an outstanding warrant for driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana. (Greer Police Department)

Nardine Saad

DMX has been arrested for the third time this year.

However, the "Ruff Ryders Anthem" rapper was in the passenger seat this time, according to rep Domenick Nati.

South Carolina police said they noticed a warrant out for DMX stemming from a previous case of driving without a license and informed him that he needed to go to jail, according to a police report obtained by TMZ. They also said that DMX smelled as if he were drunk and was in possession of weed when he was arrested.

"Though officers pulled them over for a minor traffic violation, DMX was asked to step outside so they can search the vehicle. Officers then claimed that they found bags of marijuana in the floorboard and arrested," Nati told The Times in a statement.

Police said the F350 truck made an illegal lane change, according to TMZ. However, the Associated Press said it was an illegal U-turn that caught officers' attention and prompted the traffic stop. When they stopped the car, police said they saw a bag of weed sitting on the armrest of the passenger door where the rapper had been sitting. One officer also recognized the rapper and knew that there had been a warrant out for his arrest.

Apparently the whole kerfuffle was caught on video by one of the rapper's female friends. In the audio, the rapper is heard saying repeatedly, "This ain't no normal traffic stop,", adding "18 cops, 5 cars, get the ... outta here man." He also claimed that the turn they had made was legal.

Police also searched the car and reportedly found three more bags of weed under the floorboard on the driver's side and ultimately cited the rapper for possession. They said DMX became "very aggressive with his words and was making multiple idle threats," according to the police report obtained by TMZ.

The 42-year-old rapper, whose real name Earl Simmons, was with his assistants Shawn Durham and Shawn Rhodes when he was arrested, Nati said.

"No drugs were found on DMX or the other passengers and the alleged bags of marijuana were never shown to DMX or the other passengers," he said.

The rapper, who filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July, was released from Greer County jail Wednesday morning about 11 a.m. EST and was back at his home in South Carolina, his rep added.

However, TMZ reported that police said the rapper has been placed under house arrest, though is unclear how long he'll have to remain there.

The "Party (Up In Here)" rapper was arrested two other times this year, both stemming from violations of driving without a license. Before the arrests, he had completed a stint in prison after his probation was revoked for driving without a license, and because he refused to submit to a drug test.

In 2011, he was also arrested on charges of speeding after officials said he was driving 102 mph in a Phoenix suburb. He was arrested on drug and animal-cruelty charges after an overnight raid on his house in 2008.

Does anyone else think this guy just needs to start taking public transportation?